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CTV's New Original Drama Series PLAYED Begins Production;Vincent Walsh Cast as Series Lead

In association with Muse Entertainment Enterprises and Back Alley Film Productions Ltd., CTV announced today that production has begun on PLAYED, the 13-episode, one-hour scripted drama series ordered by CTV for the upcoming 2013/2014 broadcast season. Created by Executive Producer Greg Nelson (SAVING HOPE, ROOKIE BLUE), and from Emmy® Award-nominated Executive Producer Michael Prupas (THE KENNEDYS, BEING HUMAN) and Gemini Award-winning Executive Producers Adrienne Mitchell and Janis Lundman (BOMB GIRLS, DURHAM COUNTY), PLAYED tracks an undercover police unit as it infiltrates criminal organizations through different case stories/"plays". The original drama began shooting this week in and around Toronto through September 2013. With casting now complete, PLAYED stars Vincent Walsh (DECEPTION, LOST GIRL) in the lead role of John Moreland.

In PLAYED, the CIU (Covert Investigations Unit) risks going undercover to infiltrate and bring down criminal organizations. In this new style of short-term, high-intensity undercover work, each covert "play" is crafted quickly and executed at an even faster pace. Placed into various worlds of crime without a safety net, the cops are in constant danger, as they repeatedly go off the grid. Wearing wires, coaxing confessions, and setting up stings, the cops of the CIU must think quickly, talk smoothly, and rely on pure instinct. They slip in and out of characters so often that, sometimes, they lose track of who they really are.

The team of highly-skilled and brave detectives is led by Walsh as undercover cop John Moreland. At the top of his game, John has great instincts, and is usually in charge, but when the new Covert Investigations Unit is established, it is the consummate strategist Rebecca Ellis (Chandra West, NYPD BLUE, JOHN FROM CINCINNATI) who is given the reigns, resulting in tense conflict between the two. Rebecca keeps John on track by balancing his from-the-hip instincts with her keen intellect. However, ultimately Rebecca and John need each other to pull off their risky plays and they know it.

"This suspenseful edge-of-your-seat new series is a fresh look at a complex world full of action, drama, and high stakes," said Corrie Coe, Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. "With an outstanding award-winning cast and team of producers, a group of accomplished directors, plus police consultants who have lived and breathed the world that PLAYED showcases, this drama delivers a thrill ride that is both authentic and intense."

PLAYED also stars Lisa Marcos (THE LISTENER, FLASHPOINT) as Maria Cortez, a cop who can beguile her way into any back room and disarm any man who's hiding criminal secrets; Dwain Murphy (COMBAT HOSPITAL, NIKITA) as Daniel Price, whose genuine warmth is the perfect complement to John Moreland's aggressive style; Agam Darshi (SANCTUARY, RING OF FIRE) as Khali Bhatt, whose effortless skill with technology is a real asset for the team; and Adam Butcher (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, BOMB GIRLS) as Jesse Calvert, the explosive rookie of the undercover unit.

PLAYED was created by Greg Nelson (SAVING HOPE, ROOKIE BLUE), who also serves as executive producer and co-showrunner, with Adrienne Mitchell, who is also directing the pilot. Other episode directors are: Charles Binamé (CYBERBULLY), Jerry Ciccoritti (BOMB GIRLS), Kelly Makin (FLASHPOINT), Rachel Talalay (THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS), Lee Rose (LOST GIRL), and Paul Fox (HAVEN). The director of photography is Thom Best (THE BRIDGE) and the production designer is Aidan Leroux (BOMB GIRLS).